Lean Environmental Solutions

Guide · Kyrgyzstan

Hard winter and feed shortage

When hay runs out before spring grass, animals die in large numbers, and families take years to recover.

Who and when

Herders in Naryn, Alai, Chon-Alai and other high valleys. Feed runs out from February to April; freak snow can hit in May and June. In winter 2011–12 close to 25,000 animals died.

Winters are getting milder, but summer drought is getting worse, and drought means less hay.

Right now

Right now (autumn 2026)

  • No 2026 hay stock or price figure was found. Last winter only 93% of the feed plan was stocked by 2 Dec 2025 (hay and straw 85%).
  • Lamb prices rose 23.1% in Jan–Jul 2026. On 14 Oct 2026 the state began selling imported animals below market price, which may push prices down later.
  • Frost warning for 23–25 Oct 2026 in farm areas, down to −5 °C.
  • No official winter outlook yet.
Before

Before: get ready

Animals

  1. Do the feed sum now (October): number of animals × days until green grass × daily ration. Compare it with the hay you have. Redo it every month.
  2. Sell weak, old and surplus animals now, while they are in good condition and prices are high (October–November).
  3. Get hay off the ground and under a cover before the first snow. In US trials this cut losses from about 37% to about 8% (general practice, check locally).
  4. Check water lines and troughs before the first hard freeze.
  5. Join the autumn vaccination round (it is free). Deworm before winter (general practice, check locally).
  6. Decide which animals get the best shelter and feed: pregnant ewes and goats, and young stock.

Buildings and greenhouses

  1. In November, fix shelters and windbreaks. Check that barn and greenhouse roofs can carry snow.

Money: there is no working farm insurance. In Jumgal, Ak-Talaa and Naryn districts, WFP index insurance covers local governments for winter feed shortage; ask your ayil okmotu. Compulsory home insurance covers heavy snow damage to homes.

During

During: when it hits

  1. Clear snow from barn and greenhouse roofs.
  2. If the feed sum shows you will run out, sell one or two animals early to buy feed, not late when prices fall. In Mongolia, acting before the end of January saved more animals.
  3. Feed breeding females and young stock first.
  4. Keep water free of ice.
  5. Watch for warnings. The Red Crescent cold wave plan starts help on a forecast 72 hours ahead.
After

After: recover

First days

  • Count your losses. Take photos with date, time and place.
  • Dead animals: sudden death with blood from the openings may be anthrax; don't open the body. Never sell or eat the meat. Call your district vet. Don't graze or dig at old anthrax burial sites.

First weeks

  • Get the vet. After the 2012 winter, households with better vet access did better.
  • Don't put animals on spring pasture too early. Join the spring vaccination round.
  • Expect a slow recovery: four years after 2012, families still spent 8% less on food.

Money and help

  • Write down every call (date, name). Your photos and records make your case.
  • WFP index insurance pays districts automatically, with no claims; in 2023 it gave barley to 792 poor families in Ak-Talaa. In June 2026 local authorities arranged fodder after snow on At-Bashy pastures.
Build back better

Build back better

  • Keep a fodder reserve big enough for a long winter.
  • Write down your sell-early trigger in advance: how many days of feed left before you sell.
  • Build stronger roofs and check snow load on greenhouses.
  • Next summer, plant fodder crops: maize, sorghum or soy; alfalfa only where there is water.

What the farm check looks for

Fewer days of feed in the barn than days until spring grass. Hay outside and uncovered. Missed vaccinations. Weak roofs. No index insurance cover in the district.

Get a free farm check

Sources